Vaccines against melanoma

Abstract

Peptides or proteins related to a melanoma associated antigen are described. These are produced in large quantities via recombinant DNA techniques and/or by chemical synthetic methods. The peptides or proteins can be used as immunogens in vaccine formulations which can induce an immune response that selectively destroys melanoma cells in a vaccinated individual. Where the peptides or proteins are expressed by a recombinant virus, inactivated or live virus vaccine formulations may be prepared.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen having an amino acid sequence substantially as depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B from amino acid residue number 21 to 738. 
     
     
       2. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 1, which was purified from a genetically engineered cultured cell containing the nucleotide sequence of FIGS. 3A and 3B from nucleotide number 60 to 2214, controlled by a second nucleotide sequence that regulates gene expression so that the p97 protein antigen is expressed by the genetically engineered cultured cell. 
     
     
       3. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 2 in which the genetically engineered cultured cell is a microorganisms. 
     
     
       4. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 3 in which the microorganism is a bacteria. 
     
     
       5. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 3 in which the microorganism is a yeast. 
     
     
       6. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 2, in which the genetically engineered cultured cell is an animal cell. 
     
     
       7. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 2 in which the genetically engineered cultured cell is an insect cell line. 
     
     
       8. The substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 1 which was chemically synthesized. 
     
     
       9. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 1, mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       10. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 2 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       11. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 3 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       12. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 4 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       13. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 5 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       14. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 6 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       15. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 7 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier. 
     
     
       16. An immunogenic composition, comprising an immunogenic dose of the substantially pure, non-denatured p97 protein antigen of claim 8 mixed with a pharmaceutical carrier.